Coming...

And Going...

Coaches On The Move

From Career Decisions To A Lower Cost Of Living, Whatever The Reason, Broward Football Coaches Are In Motion.

August 10, 2007|STORY BY STAFF WRITER CHRISTY CABRERA CHIRINOS

Fred Azrak did everything he could.

When the Everglades High athletic director learned his football coach, Mike Palmieri, was considering leaving for a job in North Carolina, Azrak tried hard to keep Palmieri in Miramar.

The two discussed salaries, the cost of living in South Florida, and the pros and cons of coaching in a football hotbed. But Azrak soon learned there was little he, and Broward County, could offer to compete with Palmieri's opportunity. In February, Palmieri accepted the position as football coach at Mallard Creek High in Charlotte, N.C., and Azrak was left scrambling to find a replacement. He was fortunate to find Josh Shapiro, a former assistant coach at Cypress Bay.

Many other athletic directors can relate.

When high school football practice began Monday, 23 out of 49 county schools had a new coach at the helm. Some coaches, like Palmieri, moved out of Florida. Others moved within the county in search of a job with a shorter commute, better retirement benefits or a less-pressure situation.

Coaches and athletic directors are frustrated and many say if changes aren't made soon, the coaching carousel will likely continue.

"I've never seen anything like this in my 23 years," said Cypress Bay Athletic Director Bill Caruso, who lost head coach Bill Hobbs and assistant coach Frank Hepler to Georgia earlier this year. "They're getting opportunities to go to areas where it costs less to live, [and] they're being offered more money.

"It's a concern."

Varsity head coaches in Broward public schools will earn a supplement of $3,038 this year for coaching, regardless of experience, according to county Athletic Director Rocky Gillis. By contrast, coaches in Palm Beach County will make $4,110 and Miami-Dade coaches will earn $4,749.

The supplement is in addition to the salary coaches earn as teachers, which is based on teaching experience. Considering the hours coaches put in through the season and how most also work with players throughout the offseason and summer, the compensation isn't enough. Some coaches like to even joke that when they've done the math, they're being paid about a nickel per hour.

The problem - and frustration - is compounded when neighboring states offer a lower cost of living and higher pay.

According to Azrak, both Palmieri's base salary and football coaching supplement far exceeded what he was earning in Broward.

"The stipend he's going to get is about $10,000 and don't forget about booster clubs kicking in," Azrak said. "I couldn't compete. I couldn't get any of his supplements that high. To me, supporting his family is more important than coaching football at Everglades High. At that point, you have to do what's best for your family."

While some coaches have sought relief outside of Broward, others are determined to find ways to stay. Mark Guandolo, who helped build Chaminade-Madonna into a state power, opted to make the move from the private school sector to become the coach at Cypress Bay, where retirement benefits would be better. Veteran coach Dan Marguriet left Coconut Creek for Taravella, cutting his commute and taking over at his community school.

Northeast coach Adam Ratkevich said he, too, considered leaving South Florida but instead opted for the unusual move of taking a second job. Ratkevich, entering his seventh season with the Hurricanes, opened a tanning franchise in hopes of supplementing his income and keeping his family in Broward.

"My decision was based on the fact that I love coaching. I love the kids, and I had to figure out how else to make money for my family and still love what I do," Ratkevich said. "High school coaches in Texas are making six figures. In Georgia, principals set the supplement. Here it's the same for everyone, and you can coach for 30 years and not get a raise on the football end. It's a high-pressure area and in most endeavors, you're compensated equally. That's not happening here."

The pressure to perform is another reason county schools are struggling to keep their coaches. For some coaches, the low salary isn't worth the criticism they feel they get from administrators, fans and parents.

During the past two seasons, Greg McGirt led Ely to a 15-7 record and consecutive playoff berths. The Tigers also earned victories in the Soul Bowl, their high-profile rivalry game against Dillard.

But earlier this year, McGirt opted to move across town from Ely to Pompano Beach, a school struggling to re-establish a strong football program.

"There have been some forced changes, some guys getting better deals, but there also are better moves within the county," McGirt said. "It has a lot to do with administrations. You have to find the right fit for you. It's not always about winning and losing.

"Guys just want to feel comfortable with the parents and administrators."